Washington (CNN) - Just over half the public says that the GOP should give up more than the Democrats in any bipartisan solution to the country's problems, according to a new national survey.

And a CNN/ORC International poll also indicates that a slight majority of Americans sees the Republican party's policies and views as too extreme, a first for the GOP, and fewer than a third say they trust congressional Republicans more than President Barack Obama to deal with the major issues facing the nation.

The poll's Thursday release comes less than two weeks before the country faces automatic tax increases on nearly all Americans, as well as deep federal spending cuts, if no deal is struck to avert the country from falling off the fiscal cliff at the end of the year.

According to the survey, 53% say the GOP should compromise more, with 41% saying the Democratic Party should give up more of the proposals it supports to develop bipartisan solutions.

"That's due in part to the fact that the Republican brand is not doing all that well," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

Fifty-three percent of those surveyed say they view the policies of the GOP as too extreme, up 17 points from two years ago. Only 37% say they view the polices of the Democratic Party as too extreme.

It probably doesn't help that House Speaker John Boehner, who's leading GOP fiscal cliff negotiations with the president, is held in fairly low regard, particularly in comparison to Obama. According to the poll, 34% of the public approves of how the top Republican in the House handling his job. By contrast, the president's approval rating stands at 52%.

"Small wonder that nearly half say they have more confidence in President Obama than in the congressional Republicans and that nearly half (48%) would blame the GOP if the fiscal cliff occurs," adds Holland.

Thirty-seven percent said they would blame the president more, with 11% saying they would point fingers at both sides equally if no agreement is struck to avert falling off the fiscal cliff.

The survey also indicates that seven in ten Americans continue to think that the fiscal cliff will cause a crisis or major problems for the country if a deal is not reached.

The poll's release comes one day after Obama and Boehner publicly butted heads, with the president saying Republicans were focused too much on besting him personally instead of thinking about what's best for the country. And Boehner said Obama had yet to make a proposal offering his promised approach of balance between increased revenue and spending cuts.

The survey's release also comes hours before the Republican led House is expected to vote on Boehner's backup tax plan that limits tax hikes to income above $1 million. While a concession from his original opposition to any kind of increase in tax rates, the Boehner plan sets a significantly higher threshold for a rate hike than the $400,000 level sought by Obama.

One piece of good news for the Republicans in the survey: Most Americans say that it's good for the country that the GOP controls the House, an indication that the public would not like to see the Democrats with unchecked power in Washington.

The CNN poll was conducted by ORC International December 17-18, with 620 adults nationwide questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus four percentage points.

Enormous turnout? 60% of registered voters didn't vote. The left just got their base out. The Rs didn't, as many on Christian right didn't vote. ( not to mention incidents of fraud.) You had most of the media on your side. Yet, you still didn't get the House, a check on the WH.

Enormous turnout? 60% of registered voters didn't vote. The left just got their base out. The Rs didn't, as many on Christian right didn't vote. ( not to mention incidents of fraud.) You had most of the media on your side. Yet, you still didn't get the House, a check on the WH.

Whoosh! The point went over your head. We have three branches—not a king. We have the "people's house." et al.

House Republicans redistricted to hold so many of their seats.

First things first. Destroy the presidential competition and move on the the Congress next. I don't think anyone is too concerned. Your party didn't exactly have a strong "showing of support" last week.

It's still a majority. And it was moderate Republicans that lost their seats. There's some new ones that are not moderate—they were endorsed by Ron Paul.

First things first. Destroy the presidential competition and move on the the Congress next. I don't think anyone is too concerned. Your party didn't exactly have a strong "showing of support" last week.

Actually, the real key to restoring this country is through Congress. Don't get too cocky....look what it lead to in the 2010 elections. Polls showed your guy pushed too far, and polls still show people think govt is doing too much. Polls also still show that people are sick of war and your guy is no different than Bush. Actually he is worse.So keep it up. Remember 60% of registered voters did not vote. Even many on the Christian right wouldn't vote at all because of Romney. The GOP just put up a bad candidate. But the GOP made gains in the states, some of who are preparing to nullify things the Feds do.